Help I have to get my 98 grandmother into hospital

[Somethingsosimple]

My 98 year old gran has been feeling unwell and had a blood test on Friday. Out of hours GP has just called me to say her iron levels are so low she needs a blood transfusion. She is currently living with my parents who are very vulnerable. They have isolated as a bubble for months and I’m now so worried about her picking up Covid. I will take her in rather than my parents but how can I minimise risk? It’s a busy hospital and I’m going to have to get her a wheel chair and negotiate lifts etc. Sorry I’m just really worried as I’m asthmatic so have been living a very quiet life too.
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I would call 111 or the out of hours doctor back and tell them to arrange an ambulance.

If you are taking her in today it will be very quiet. There may be a clean entrance and a covid one so it will be worth checking this. Does she have her own wheelchair or will you need to get one? Do you need to go through a&e or just to a ward?

Other than that, both wear a mask, there will be hand sanitizer, take some with you as well. I hope it goes ok for her.

Sorry, are you worried about you or her?

Mask, take own sanitizer, use it on wheelchair, use after pressing lift buttons.

I hope she feels better ASAP.

If you are living a quiet life then you will be minimal risk but could put her in the back so you are further apart and wear masks. On arrival at hospital go get wheelchair and sanitize before she gets in. They should take her straight through anyway and then there is nothing more you can do. It's all on the hospital.

FWIW my MIL has been in hospital a couple of weeks, our very busy hospital is very quiet, I had an appointment a few weeks ago on a Sunday and hardly anyone was around.

Call your go back and ask them to arrange patient hospital transport

She will be far better in your car than an ambulance/patient transport with multiple ill people in it.

Take wipes, and masks and wipe the wheelchair down.

@FlitterMouse
Ambulances are not taxis. Ambulances should only be used when there is no other option for the patient to be moved safely or where treatment is required immediately or on scene before heading to the hospital and even then unless it is an immediate emergency it can take several hours for an ambulance to arrive.

I would also ring 111 to arrange transport.

Patient transport is not appropriate in an urgent situation. An ambulance should only be used if no other option is available.

Sundays are the quietest day in any hospital. Does she already have a wheelchair or will you need to get one at the hospital? When you arrive there will be someone there to direct you and advise on anything you're unsure of.

If your GP has advised she has low blood levels you need to go A&E.

The hospital I work as has red and green areas from the entrance to A&E through to wards.

You should register at reception and be asked if you have covid symptons. If you don't go to green area, be prepared for your grandmoter to be swabbed for covid if she is to be admitted.

Advise them your doctor has advised hopital admission due to low bloods and will require transfusion.

All hospital equipment is deeped cleaner regualrily.

Hope she is better soon.

I know ambulances are not a taxi service. She is 98 years old and severe anameia can make someone feel extremely unwell.

Patient transport aren’t necessarily ambulances on duty. They are often private vehicles used to assist for this exact case scenario.

OP contact PALS for your area and ask them to help you.

Hospitals are operating covid/non covid areas aren't they? So the risk to you of catching covid is minimal.

Has the GP alerted hospital of her arrival? This will reduce time spent in waiting room. Mask and gloves for you both.